An illustrated history of how the Luftwaffe intended 'the Blitz' to knock Britain out of the war, emphasising the German point of view and detailing how Britain's defences and civilians responded.
The Blitz - the German 'blitzkrieg' of Britain's industrial and port cities - was one of the most intensive bombing campaigns of World War II. Cities from London to Glasgow, Belfast to Hull, and Liverpool to Cardiff were targeted in an attempt to destroy Britain's military-industrial facilities and force it out of the war.
Most histories of the Blitz concentrate on the civilian experience of ‘life under the bombs’ or the fighter pilots of the RAF but, in military terms, the Blitz was also the Luftwaffe's biggest and most ambitious strategic bombing campaign. Focusing on both sides, this book places particular emphasis on the hitherto under-represented Luftwaffe view of the campaign and looks at the new technology and tactics at its heart. From the innovative development of specialist night-fighters to the 'Battle of the Beams' that pitted German electronic navigation systems against British countermeasures, the Blitz demonstrated the effects of developing technology on aerial warfare.
Describing and analyzing the strategy, tactics and operations of both the Luftwaffe and the UK’s air defences during the period between September 1940 and May 1941, author Julian Hale demonstrates that, for a variety of reasons, there was little chance of the Luftwaffe achieving any of its aims.
Using primary sources, spectacular original artwork, 3D diagrams and maps, this study shines a fresh light on how and why the world’s first true strategic air offensive failed.
By:
Julian Hale
Illustrated by:
Mads Bangsø
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 38
Dimensions:
Height: 248mm,
Width: 184mm,
Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781472857880
ISBN 10: 1472857887
Series: Air Campaign
Pages: 96
Publication Date: 28 November 2023
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
INTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES Luftwaffe order of battle, 7 September, 1941 Doctrine The aircraft Equipment and tactics DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES RAF order of battle, 7 September, 1941 Civil defence The aircraft Commanders CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES THE CAMPAIGN The Blitz begins, 7 September-13 October The night assault The conflict over future strategy The London Blitz renewed Fighter defence The campaign on the Midlands and Southern ports Regenschirm: The Birmingham Blitz 'Crucible': Sheffield The Manchester Blitz The Southampton Blitz London campaign renewed The Anti-Aircraft Contribution Bromide, Domino and Starfish The Battle of the ports The Swansea and Cardiff Blitzes The Clydebank Blitz- Problems over Bristol Hull, Plymouth-Devonport London The Anti-shipping campaign AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX
Julian Hale read History at Lancaster University and completed an MA on the RFC and RAF in the Middle East during World War I. In 2012, he joined the RAF Museum and catalogued the Jack Bruce Collection, an archive of First World War and inter-war aircraft and personnel images. He was the Assistant Curator for the Museum’s Centenary Programme until June 2018 and is the author of The RAF: 1918-2018 and Women in Aviation.
